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Daily News Digest – May 9, 2018

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Good morning! In case you were wondering who the “other guy” was in Kay Ivey’s instagram throwback photo yesterday, it was none other than George McMillan, who would go on to become Lt. Governor. Looking good, sir! Here’s your Daily News for Wednesday, May 9.

1. Shelby takes on an Appropriations culture problem.

You’re probably familiar with the trouble the U.S. Senate has with confirming presidential appointees and judges.

That problem has many talking about changing longstanding Senate rules on the filibuster – and for good reason.

But, did you know there is an arguably worse problem in the Senate with advancing appropriations bills?

4. Cliff Sims goes to State.

Alabama politico and newsmaker Cliff Sims is leaving the White House and going to the State Department to work for new Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Alabama folks remember Cliff best for his founding of YellowHammer News. Cliff built YH from scratch into a seriously effectual media platform before leaving to join the Trump campaign in July 2016. He’s been working as White House Director of Media Strategy and Special Assistant to the President.

Cliff said he couldn’t comment publicly on the news, but others are speaking positively about the move.

Someone close to Pompeo told POLITICO, “Cliff worked on communications for Pompeo’s confirmation and did an outstanding job, which led to Secretary Pompeo offering him that position.”

Our new Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell said on the record,”The State Department will greatly benefit from Cliff’s expertise.”

And check out this passage from AXIOS’s White House insider Jonathan Swan: Sources from various corners of the White House have told me that Sims, a Trump campaign veteran, has forged one of the stronger personal relationships with the President of any staffer at his level.

Bunting got right to the point saying it’s a good thing for Montgomery and the state that the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in favor of Interim State Superintendent Ed Richardson and against the Alabama Education Association to allow the turnaround plan to proceed.

That all makes it worth watching, but you gotta stay until the end to see Mark throw some SERIOUS shade at a certain former Alabama governor.